India says use of UAV routine

NEW DELHI: India on Saturday said it had lost an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over Pakistani territory and that use of such vehicles was routine.

The Defence Ministry issued a statement saying the UAV, which was on a routine flight near the Indo-Pak border, lost contact with the ground control around 2300 hours.

"It is believed to have fallen down within 20 km south-south west of Lahore," the statement said, adding "in the current state of deployment of the armed forces, the use of UAVs by either side is a routine feature".

The Pakistan Defence Ministry in a statement had earlier said the "Indian aerial vehicle was on a reconnaissance and spying mission when it violated the Pakistan air space close to Lahore".

Pakistan Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar said, "penetration of the Indian plane into our airspace can only enhance the dangers existing in the presence of forces on both sides of the Line of Control."

Sattar added, "in a situation like this, responsible states must exercise utmost care to ensure that no provocations are made which might lead to escalation."